Obituary of Aiko Nomoto Smallwood

On May 16, 1926, God blessed the union of Admiral (Japan Navy Forces) Shosaku and Tomeno Nomoto with the fourth of their six children, Aiko Nomoto. As a child, Aiko marveled at the beautiful things the world offered her. Flowers, water, sports, pets, the outdoors, school, mathematics, fashion, family, and musical instruments to name a few. As a teen, she studied these facets with the intention to use them to make life more enjoyable for herself and those she interacted with. She learned the art of floral arrangement called Ikebana, participated in competitive team sports, traveled, excelled academically, mastered the art of sewing and developed a love in playing the Japanese instrument called the Koto. She matriculated through Meiji University and received her degree in Law. Aiko started her career working at a military base in Yokohama, Japan and later met Master Sergeant William Smallwood who was stationed there. They were married on November 30, 1951 and relocated to the United States where Aiko commenced her life as a US citizen. While William continued his tenure with the US Army, Aiko started a thriving at home sewing business while raising their only child, Vivian Aiko Smallwood. At the time of his retirement from the Army, Aiko became the office manager for the automotive businesses he had purchased. Upon the untimely death of her husband in 1986, Aiko chose to keep herself busy by engaging in additional entrepreneurial ventures as well as enjoy life being "the World's Best Granma" to Aiko Dominique Hawkins and Milton Hawkins Jr. Aiko became a local hosiery supplier to small businesses, tailor to several clothing boutiques in Baltimore County and fashion consultant to New York fashion designer, Reiko. Additionally, Aiko found time to travel to some of her favorite places …Atlantic City, NJ; Honolulu, Hawaii; Las Vegas, Nevada & National State Parks. When her health caused limitations to her business activities, Aiko became active in the Baltimore County Senior Community. Around 2006, Aiko moved to Lamplight Inn Assistant Living Facility (ALF) in Baltimore City and later to Woodholme Gardens ALF in Baltimore County where she enjoyed her new environment and family. After a brief illness in July, Aiko transitioned at home on August 3, 2021. Aiko Nomoto Smallwood, aka "Miss Aiko", "Miss Smallwood", "Pretty Japanese Lady that drove those Cadillacs" is survived by her daughter, Vivian Aiko Smallwood; granddaughter, Aiko Dominique Hawkins, grandson, Milton Hawkins Jr and a host of nieces, nephews, special extended family members and friends.